Dumfries and Galloway Council met on Monday 11 August 2025, and addressed urgent issues regarding bus services in the region. Councillors agreed to note the decision of the Chief Executive to approve emergency funding for DGC Buses to purchase new vehicles, and also agreed to commission a public transport needs assessment for areas affected by the withdrawal of commercial services. They further agreed to review transport procurement processes jointly with SWestrans¹.

Bus Provision

Following a requisition for a special meeting, the council convened to discuss bus provision in the region. Councillors agreed to remove delegations from the Economy and Infrastructure Committee to allow for a full council decision.

The council noted:

• The work of SWestrans, council officers, and local bus operators in procuring and delivering transport services.
• The legal responsibilities of SWestrans for local bus networks (subsidised), the council for home to school transport, and individual operators for commercial routes.
• That the council and SWestrans have a legal duty to assess public transport needs arising from the withdrawal of commercial services, and the power to operate such services directly or through subsidy where appropriate. They requested a legal advice note be circulated to members to clarify responsibilities.
• The gaps in bus provision and public concern over timetable and capacity changes.
• The decision of full council on 26 June 2025 to bring forward a report to committee setting out practical options for establishing a council-run bus operation.

The council agreed:

• To commission a public transport needs assessment for all local areas affected by the withdrawal or reduction of commercial services since June 2025.
• To undertake a review of transport procurement processes jointly between the council and SWestrans.
• To write to the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland regarding bus provision.

DGC Buses Capital Investment

The council convened to discuss an expedited procedure report regarding capital investment for DGC Buses, the council's operator of last resort.

The council agreed to remove delegation from the Enabling and Customer Services Committee and the Economy and Infrastructure Committee.

The council noted the decision of the Chief Executive, following the recommendation of the Chief Financial Officer, Interim Assistant Director Transport and Infrastructure and in consultation with the Convener, Depute Convener and the Chair and Vice Chair of Enabling and Customer Service Committee and Economy and Infrastructure Committee, to agree to:

• Incur capital borrowing of £1,701,588 to invest in the purchasing of six coaches and 1 large bus to support the delivery of Home to School Transport and Local Transport (subsidised routes) through DGC buses.
• Realign £964, 540 within the Transport Asset Class Capital budget to purchase 5 large buses.

The council also noted that this action was not briefed to all elected members as part of urgent ongoing communication on the future of bus services in the region, but only to senior members of the administration and thereafter to all Group Leaders as per current council processes, and that action would be taken to review this process through the Business Bureau.

The council further noted that the report set out the rationale for the decision under expedited procedures which included an assessment of options, and that in line with the decision of full Council on 26 June 2025, a report is being brought forward to Committee to set out practical options to establish a Council run bus operation.

A motion was proposed by Councillor Carolyne Wilson, seconded by Councillor Linda Dorward, to change endorse to note at recommendation 2.2, and to add additional recommendations. An amendment was proposed by Councillor Stephen Thompson, seconded by Councillor Andy Ferguson, to also change endorse to note at recommendation 2.2, but with different additional recommendations. On a roll call vote, the amendment was approved with 18 votes in favour and 13 against.

The report before the council explained that the retendering of the bus network had been very fast paced and was constantly changing. J McCulloch & son's surrendered its operator's licence leaving a further 9 routes (4 Home to school and 5 local routes) vacant. This left a gap of a total of 19 routes (9 home to school and 10 local) in the west of the region.

The council considered two options to deliver the 19 service routes by DGC Buses: purchasing all vehicles, or leasing options. Purchasing the vehicles was considered the lowest risk of service failure, and would secure delivery of vehicles by 28 July if ordered by Monday 21 July 2025.

The report stated that:

Section 63 of the Transport Act 1985 places a duty on local councils to ensure that public transport services are provided to meet any public transport needs that are not met by the commercial market.

The report also stated that the council has a statutory obligation to provide free school transport to pupils who meet certain criteria, primarily based on distance from their designated school, according to the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 (Section 51).

The funding for the purchase of the buses is split between the asset class realignments and capital borrowing:

• Transport Asset Class £964,540 (5 large buses)
• Borrowing £1,701,588 (6 coaches and 1 large bus)

The council had received confirmation from Transport Scotland that it was successful in the Tier 1 Bus Infrastructure Fund (BIF) totalling £832k to support the roll out and development of bus infrastructure (i.e bus stops). It was identified that £540k of the BIF funding could appropriately be utilised to support allocations that were already included within the Transport Asset Class that was approved in April 2025.

Other Business

There was no other business deemed urgent by the Convener due to the need for a decision.